Veteran filmmaker Shakeel Noorani, 73, known for writing, producing and directing films including Bade Dil Wala (1999) and Joru Ka Ghulam (2000), has been arrested by the Malvani Police following a complaint of alleged rape and sexual assault filed by a 33-year-old actress.According to Mid-day, police allege that Noorani sexually assaulted the woman after calling her to his Malvani residence under the pretext of discussing a potential film project. The complaint also reportedly includes allegations that the actress was sedated and later threatened with a video.Police sources said Noorani was traced to a farmhouse in Medha, in Maharashtra’s Satara district. He was taken into custody in the early hours of August 8 and subsequently brought to Mumbai.
Shakeel Noorani booked under BNS sections
The Malvani Police have booked Noorani under Sections 64(2)(M), 123, 351(2) and 88 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Actress allegedly met Shakeel Noorani in 2016
According to the report, the actress first met Noorani at an entertainment award event in Lokhandwala in 2016. She alleged that the filmmaker spoke to her about an upcoming project and asked her to contact him regarding potential work.Her FIR states that she later visited his residence in Malvani to discuss a script.
Actress alleges repeated sexual assault
According to her complaint, Noorani allegedly offered her a drink, after which she lost consciousness. She claimed that when she regained consciousness, Noorani showed her a video on his phone and allegedly threatened to release it if she approached the police or informed her family.The actress further alleged that the filmmaker subsequently used the video to intimidate her and sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions. She also alleged that he repeatedly made her take contraceptive pills following the alleged assaults.The woman reportedly returned to Mumbai in 2026 seeking financial assistance for medical treatment.
Police trace Noorani to Satara farmhouse
During the investigation, police reportedly learnt that Noorani was staying at a farmhouse in the Medha area of Satara district. A local police team traced him to the location and took him to the Medha Police Station.Malvani Police officials subsequently travelled to Satara to complete the formal arrest proceedings. Police said Noorani underwent a medical examination at the Rural Hospital in Medha before being taken to Mumbai.
Shakeel Noorani’s lawyer denies allegations
Advocate Vikas Singh Goar, who is representing Noorani, denied the allegations and said his client had been wrongly implicated.“The allegations made by the actress are yet to be established before a court, and the investigation is underway. Noorani is presumed innocent unless proven guilty,” he said.
Shakeel Noorani remanded in police custody
Police sought custody of Noorani to further investigate the allegations, recover and examine the alleged video and determine whether the alleged offences took place at other locations.The Borivli holiday court remanded Noorani to police custody until August 12.
